President Ram Chandra Paudel has called on everyone to contribute from their respective fields to end all forms of violence, discrimination, and oppression against women.
Extending his best wishes on the occasion of the 116th International Women’s Day on March 8, 2026, he emphasized the need to organize more effective and creative programs to eradicate harmful practices and traditions that lead to increasing incidents of physical and psychological violence against adolescent girls and young women.
The message states, “If women, who make up half of the population, are empowered, the entire family, society, and the nation will move forward on the path of prosperity. Therefore, special attention must be given to this.” President Paudel noted that the proportional inclusion principle adopted by the Constitution has proven to be a milestone in establishing meaningful representation and leadership of women in political, social, economic, cultural, and educational sectors. He stressed that equal access for women must be ensured in all sectors of the state, including education, health, employment, policymaking and decision-making processes, and politics, in order to achieve the goals of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
In the message, President Paudel also stated, “May this day provide all of us with additional energy, enthusiasm, and inspiration to act with full sensitivity toward women’s rights, equality, empowerment, and dignity.”
International Women’s Day is observed every year on March 8 to promote women’s rights and gender equality. This year, the day is being celebrated with the United Nations theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality and Empowerment.” The day is marked globally to recognize women’s economic, political, and social achievements while promoting expanded access to technology, strengthening women’s empowerment, eliminating gender inequality and violence, educating women, making them self-reliant, and ensuring them due respect.